James Bond And Swearing
BIG TAM
Wrexham, North Wales, UK.Posts: 773MI6 Agent
I've been reading a bit about SKYFALL & noted there's an utterance of the F-word within its 142 minute running time. I may be showing my age but if that is the case then it's a shame. Whether aimed more at adults in the '60s or kids in the '70s, Bond films have always essentially been family films.
I may have the charge of hypocrisy levelled at me for having no problems with a more hard-edged attitude to violence, but violence has always been part of the character's make-up. Hence the one-liners to alleviate the brutality. Hard swearing just seems so out of character & I'd always hoped cussing might be kept to a bare minimum. I'm no prude (heck, SCARFACE & GOODFELLAS are two of my favourite films) but it just doesn't suit Bond's world.
It won't ultimately turn me off an otherwise high quality film. It's just a shame they've had to resort to it, that's all.
PS I've just remembered J.W. Pepper almost utteringing the word in LIVE & LET DIE & Dalton coming close to mouthing it when fending off the swordfish in LICENCE TO KILL. I suppose if used for comic effect I might be spared my blushes.
I may have the charge of hypocrisy levelled at me for having no problems with a more hard-edged attitude to violence, but violence has always been part of the character's make-up. Hence the one-liners to alleviate the brutality. Hard swearing just seems so out of character & I'd always hoped cussing might be kept to a bare minimum. I'm no prude (heck, SCARFACE & GOODFELLAS are two of my favourite films) but it just doesn't suit Bond's world.
It won't ultimately turn me off an otherwise high quality film. It's just a shame they've had to resort to it, that's all.
PS I've just remembered J.W. Pepper almost utteringing the word in LIVE & LET DIE & Dalton coming close to mouthing it when fending off the swordfish in LICENCE TO KILL. I suppose if used for comic effect I might be spared my blushes.
Comments
Vive le droit à la libre expression! Je suis Charlie!
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But anyway, I remember being surprised by the F-bomb, thinking it was a little out of tone for a Bond film but that it worked and was funny. But I can't for the life of me remember where it happened! Can anybody remind me ('neath cover of a spoiler alert of course!)?
JediM
Vive le droit à la libre expression! Je suis Charlie!
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I was surprised by it too, and baulked a little thinking maybe using the 'F' word was a bit much in a Bond film. Then I remembered it was the 21st century and not 1962, and am now quite comfortable with it's inclusion.
I think it was used for a variety of reasons, to add humour, to show the severity of the situation, to shock a little as we don't expect it and to show the character's vulnerability and fact that they aren't perfect.
I think I worked rather well, pleased that it isn't a regular occurrence and wouldn't mind if it was done again.
Vive le droit à la libre expression! Je suis Charlie!
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
www.cancerresearchuk.org
'I never liked this house anyway' or something like that. Also a poor line, we immediately got loved with this house, it's beautiful shown, good atmosphere and then we hear Bond that negative about it. I thought it was very bad and not that 'Bondian'. All to be funny, which it isn't. It's more a terminator or triple X line.
What do you mean?! That kind of throw away line is exactly Bondian! He was clearly distraught about his childhood home being destroyed but he was brushing it off in a nonchalant manner to continue with the job in hand! I thought that was classic Bond, as was the destruction of the car and the look he gave the camera at that point (although I thought they slightly missed the comic tone in that case, but then maybe you preferred that one?).
I guess we've given up with spoilers? :P
It's what any of us would of said. ( well I would )
I broached this subject to a couple of fellow fans after the screening. They also said it's 2012 not 1962; times change. They then said they liked Brosnan's adventures more. I asked why. They said they were more escapist entertainment, like the '60s & '70s. Ah, so one isn't happy with the general content changing, just the language? They then swore at me & we continued to drink beer.
i think it added realism to the situation because if it was a true event i am sure that phrase and worse would of been used.
IMHO bond films have been wrapped in cotton wool for to long and CR was a well needed reality check that made people remember that Bond is a licensed killer.